The Ritz-Carlton Tenerife, Abama occupies 160 acres of clifftop real estate on Tenerife's west coast, and the scale of the place becomes clear the moment you arrive. This is not a compact resort where everything sits within a short stroll, it's a sprawling estate with 459 rooms and suites spread across multiple buildings, all designed to take advantage of the Atlantic views and year-round sunshine.
Accommodation ranges from Deluxe Rooms through to One Bedroom Suites in The Retreat, the latter featuring private pools and a level of seclusion that appeals to golfers who want to unwind properly between rounds. Standard rooms are spacious and well-appointed, each with a private terrace, marble bathroom, Nespresso machine, minibar and air conditioning. The furnishings lean contemporary rather than traditional, and the attention to detail, from the spa amenities to the quality of the linen, reflects the Ritz-Carlton standard.
For those marking a milestone or simply wanting to elevate the experience, the suite options are worth considering. The Royal Suites, located on the 7th and 8th floors of the Citadel building, offer two bedrooms, open-plan living and dining areas with a bar, and expansive terraces designed for families or small groups. At the top end sits the Imperial Suite, a 10,225-square-foot residence with a private rooftop pool and panoramic views across the resort and coastline. It's the sort of space that turns a golf trip into a proper occasion.
The Retreat suites, set within the resort's sub-tropical gardens, provide a quieter alternative. These one and two-bedroom options come with private pools and a sense of separation from the main hub, ideal for couples or anyone who prefers a slower pace off the course. All guests have access to shared pools, and the layout of the resort means you're never far from a sunbed, a bar or a quiet corner to read the yardage book for tomorrow's round.
Dining at Abama is a serious affair. The resort is home to 10 restaurants and bars, including two Michelin-starred venues. M.B, led by Chef Erlantz Gorostiza and named after Spanish culinary legend Martín Berasategui, holds two Michelin stars and serves Basque-inspired cuisine that's as precise as it is indulgent. A meal here is not just dinner, it's an event, and one that sits comfortably alongside the best golf and dining experiences in Europe.
Kabuki, the resort's other Michelin-starred restaurant, brings modern Japanese cuisine to the table courtesy of Seoul-born chef Akira Back, a former professional snowboarder whose menu reflects both creativity and technical skill. Beyond the starred venues, the dining options cover Italian at Verona, fish and seafood at El Mirador, natural and local produce at Verde Mar, and casual beachside fare at The Beach Club. The Lobby Bar and Deli Cafe round out the options, and live music features almost nightly, adding to the post-round atmosphere.
The fitness centre is open 24 hours, equipped with cardiovascular and strength-training equipment, and overlooks the coast, making early-morning sessions more appealing than they probably should be. The Destination Spa, however, is where most golfers will spend their recovery time. Using Cinq Mondes products, the spa features a water circuit that includes a Tepidarium, Hammam, African sauna, herbal steam bath, Kneipp trail, hydrotherapy pool, snow cabin and spa garden. It's designed to reset the body after a long walk on a hilly course, and if you've played 36 holes in two days, you'll appreciate it.
